Mental Health Medication and Health Insurance – Are You Covered?

Insurance companies are now being mandated by many states to provide mental health coverage to their customers. However, having to provide this coverage doesn’t guarantee that customers won’t face rate hikes, stigmas, and other issues because they have mental healthcare services on their record. Insurance companies can see this history and often use it to label people as a higher risk to their insurance company because they have a medical history that is significant. When it comes to mental health, it seems like the risk is increased ten-fold, which is difficult for many people to handle.

When you are being treated for depression and other mental health issues, a common medication that is used is Prozac. However, this is one medication that may or may not be covered depending on your insurance company. If you do get prescription coverage for Prozac, it will likely be with strict regulation or some type of stigma that follows you for the rest of your insured life. Many therapists and psychiatrists will no longer accept patients that cannot pay cash, even on a sliding scale, because they don’t want to ruin their reputation when it comes to their health insurance coverage.

Mental health has become much more widely accepted as a medical issue that needs serious attention. However, the insurance companies are not so evolved that they can just hand out these medications to anyone without thinking twice. Between the stigma of mental disorders and the increased risk they present and the abuse of many anti-psychotic medications like Prozac, it is hard for insurance companies to justify taking such a risk to help out their patients. Whenever you are applying for health insurance or even if you already have coverage, you need to get a good look at the mental health coverage, including prescription coverage, that is provided to you with your policy.

Prozac and health insurance are kind of like oil and water in most cases. However, some people are more readily able to find the insurance that can give them the coverage that they need. Whether the solution is paying higher premiums or paying out of pocket, you have to explore your options for getting the mental health coverage and prescription services that you need to find the best possible solution. If you are already on Prozac and it is affecting your health insurance rates or coverage, you should shop around for a new policy.